Berlin, March 23, IRNA - A German foreign ministry spokesman reaffirmed Iran and six world powers were on the verge of a political deal on�a final nuclear agreement, according to IRNA.


Addressing media representatives in Berlin on Monday, Martin Schaefer said Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier 'shared the assessment' of his

French, British and American counterparts following their three-hour-long intense deliberations in London on Saturday that a diplomatic solution�was 'within grasp'.

Schaefer did say while all sides were still facing further 'important and difficult negotiation steps', an agreement was likely imminent.

We have never been this close to reaching an accord with Iran, the spokesperson quoted Steinmeier as saying.

We have made 'encouraging progress' in the Iran nuclear negotiation process over the past weeks, Schaefer stressed.

The latest round of nuclear negotiations ended in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Friday after six days of intense and serious discussions among high-ranking diplomats of Iran, the United States and the European Union.

The talks on a political director-level will resume on Thursday, according to Schaefer who would not rule out the possibility that the seven foreign

ministers would join the negotiations at a later date.

Iran and the E3 plus 3 group � the US, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany � are presently negotiating to reach a

comprehensive nuclear agreement as a July 1 deadline draws closer.

By IRNA